Italian scientists have developed a new sheet metal that repels most bacteria and liquids from the surface; the idea was inspired by the self-cleaning properties of the lotus leaf.
Italian scientists have developed a new material intended, in large part, to cut down on cleaning time, reports The Telegraph.
Their project, called TresClean, has resulted in the creation of a sheet metal designed to repel bacteria and liquids.
The team’s approach was inspired by the self-cleaning attributes of lotus flower leaves.
Researchers used precise machines to cut a roughened texture similar to the kind found on the lotus leaf onto the metal, notes Phys.org.
As a result of this treatment, bacteria and liquids have significantly less contact with the surface and are not able to spread and cling to it as well.
The Telegraph is reporting that after some additional development, the material will likely be deployed in the commercial food industry.
One possible application is in dairy production where vats currently need to be cleaned after 6 to 8 hours of use to prevent bacterial growth.
Increased efficiency and decreased energy consumption are considered to be some of the other benefits of the new metal.
The product is expected to launch within the next two years.
